Kyle Williams: ‘There’s a different type of feeling when you get knocked on your ass like I did’

It was third-and-10 when Kyle Williams dove across the middle and snared a Colin Kaepernick pass. Then it was Williams slipping past cornerback Carlos Rogers for another third-down converstion. Finally, on third-and-2, Williams went deep and hauled in another Kaepernick pass.

This prompted my post-practice interview request for Williams. Ever since the NFC Championship game and his botched punt returns, he’s been available and accountable to the media.

Sure enough, our one-on-one chat was amicable and insightful. We talked about this season’s team, his new teammates and, of course, we touched on the aftermath he endured from the NFC Championship.

Two national writers have passed through camp, and both asked to interview Williams, and he obliged — for the Los Angeles Times’ Sam Farmer and Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. Williams understands he remains a searing reminder of how close the 49ers came to last season’s Super Bowl, and he knows that reporters will soon divert their attention to something else once the games begin anew.

Coach Jim Harbaugh opened camp by casting Williams among a quintent of so-called No. 1 wide receivers. In our interview, Williams gushes about Harbaugh and informed me how Harbaugh’s father Jack coached Williams’ dad Kenny at Stanford in the early 1980s.

Kenny Williams, of course, is general manager of the Chicago White Sox. Make that the first-place White Sox, as his son gladly noted of the team he grew up rooting for while living in Chicago from age 5 to 16.

Here is a transcript for my interview with Williams on Wednesday:

Every catch, are you trying to prove your worth more than you would have?

“No, I know who I am as a player. These coaches know, these players know. I don’t look to go out and do more than I would any other day. I’m going to go out there and bust my ass after every single play. That’s the kind of player I’ve always been.

“I wouldn’t say that, because of what happened, I’m going to try prove it to everybody that I really want it. These guys know I really wanted it before.

“It’s not like I’m not trying to erase a memory. These guys knew exactly who they were getting from the very beginning. I’m going to continue to work my tail off, continue to go balls out every single time, because that’s what it takes.”

There’s so much more competition at your position … (Williams interupts before a question is posed):

“I love it. It makes us better as a team. The fact is we have six guys that can do it. Everybody pushes everybody. The older guys are helping the kids out.”

What are you, the old guy or young kid?

“In some situations I’m the older guy when I’m helping the younger guys out. In other situations I’m getting coached up. I’m definitely not afraid to get coached up. We have some of the guys that have been great in this league, absolutely great.”

What have you learned from Moss so far?

“So many things, it’s hard to hang my hat on just one. He’s one of those guys you just like to be around him and pick his brain. You can ask the most random question to him and he’ll give you an elaborate answer. He’s been through it. He’s seen everything. Even if it doesn’t draw from his own experience, he’s played with guys in the league who might have done that. He’s been a great teacher for all of us.”

What was your first meeting like?

“Since the very beginning, he’s taken all of us under his wing. He has an interesting way of doing it. He lets you know, ‘I’m paying attention. I see what you’re doing.’ ”

Did you have to introduce yourself to him?

“I introduced myself anyway. I’m a very proper kind of person. He said, ‘I knew who you are. Everybody calls you K-Dub. What’s the ‘K’ for, Kenneth?’ So he calls me Kenneth every day and I call him Randall. That’s how he is, he’ll joke around with you. But once it gets to the field, it’s all business.”

Did Moss say anything to you about the playoffs?

“Nothing. It’s been kind of good, actually. It’s a little different because you would people would still say stuff. But, except for the new guys that weren’t here, the guys that were here, they said what they had to say to me after the game. They said, ‘We’ve got you. We’ve got your back.’ They came to my side. And then it was over. It was almost like, ‘We’re not speaking about it. We know you’re not carrying it with you so we’re not carrying it also.’

“The guys that weren’t here, Brandon Jacobs came up to me when I first got here and said, ‘You were killing us. You were running that thing, so don’t think about it.’ He didn’t know me yet. I introduced myself and the first thing he said to me was, ‘Hey, you can run that rock now. Don’t let that hang around.’ I said, ‘I’m good, I’m good, ready to go.’ Since then, nothing.

“As much as I’ve gotten past it, moved forward and used it to drive me, so has everybody else in the locker room. We’re past it. We’re talking about 2012 now. Dwelling on that isn’t going to help us win one game this year. It’s gone. We’re focusing on this year, this camp and every meeting we have we’re trying to get better.”

I did an earlier blog post who everything you’ve done since the incident seems perfect. You’ve been accountable, responsible, done the interviews. Why is that?

“I’m not afraid. I’m not running from this thing. I’m not afraid to speak on it. It is what it is, it happened. At some point, you guys are going to have to talk about something else. I realize that’s going to come when the games start and plays start being made. That’s fine with me.

“I have no problem accepting the consequences or aftermath. I knew what was coming right after it happened. Better to bolster up and take it like a man.

It doesn’t seem like there is a grudge anywhere around here, right?

“Not with these guys. I don’t know if I could say the same if I was on another team. I’ve never been on another team. The guys in that locker room are amazing. To some degree, sometimes you think about it and it’s weird, they genuinely do have my back on this. It’s really been a treat to have those guys there.”

When you talked to Sam (Farmer, LA Times), what did you mean you that you’ve never felt this fire inside you before?

“It’s a weird situation. I’ve never felt that I’ve gone out and given anything less than 110 percent. I feel confident with that. There’s a different type of feeling when you get knocked on your ass like I did. There’s a different type of feeling. It all went bad. When the worst possible thing happens, and that pain you’re dealing with, it burns in you. It eats away at you.

“You can’t wait to get out there. You can’t wait to hit somebody. You can’t wait to make a play. It’s a different type of intensity that can’t be described unless you go through it. Guys have gone through it in different walks of life and in different ways, and I guess that was mine.

“Now I get it. Now I get why some guys that have come from different backgrounds, or have gone through a situation where it didn’t go not only as planned but it went the exact opposite – it went the worst – now I get it. There’s a different type of intensity.

“There’s a different kick there. When you’re tired, want to call it and say ‘Let the rookie take a rep,’ no. I’m ready to go.

“There’s a different type of motivation. I’ve never felt that before.

Do you appreciate each catch more or do you not have time to think of it?

“Maybe. I don’t think too deeply into it. It’s just go. You go hard every single play. And you make sure you’re prepared every single play, so you don’t look back with regret. You put yourself in the best possible situation.”

Do you look at the roster and see how to get a spot on it?

“No. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. I truly feel as hard as I work, and if you take care of your business – this in not just personal but around the league – if you do your job, all the other stuff will take care of itself. I don’t sit here and think, ‘How many are they going to keep.’ I’m going to work my tail off. When it’s all said and done, I’ll be there.”

You’re also doing punt returns. Anything else?

“Kick returns. Gunner. Any way to get on that field. I’m a football player. Anything. … I’m having a lot of fun.”

It helps that you’re on a very good team, huh?

“Very fortunate to be around these guys. That coach (Harbaugh). Man, I love that dude, for real. I played against him. His dad actually coached my dad back at Stanford. Never met him until last year. Played against him at Stanford a couple years. Always respected him. Always respect him with that tenure of playing in the league and turning Stanford around like that. Awesome.”

Cam Inman

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Love the way he has approached this..dont let it hang over you and come out every day and work like it is your last..i wouldnt be suprised to see him get more snaps than everyone thinks this year..he can definetly play reciever and is yet another deep threat we have..its scary to think of what this team will do this year and kyle williams will be a big part of it..Niners 19-0

Poop

Rooting for him.

AdamO

I really want to see the kid succeed this year. If he can come back he will have proven to be so mentally tough that will prove to be a great asset.
Cmon Kyle prove the naysayers wrong and kick some butt this year. Look how hard he is worked this off season and through training camp, unlike a certain first round diva who shall remain nameless.
Kyle some of us have your back, and redemption will be sweet bro!

Greg

I’ll say it. Michael F’in Crabtree!!! And i’ve been rootin for #10 since he became a 9er!!!

Greg

Now we know why Oakland didnt want him!!!

Bay area rogue

The Rogue would like to see kyle bounce back. That 1st punt return this season will say it all. The players need to see him succeed or he’s toast. They are nice now, but he cost them big.

Rob

Kyle Williams – rooting for you; way to handle the down-moments in your professional career.

dietrich from maui

Man I hope he balls out this year!!!!

Steve

I’d like to see him do well too, but I can’t imagine he’ll get much playing time unless there are significant injuries. He’ll be behind Moss, Manningham, and Crabtree on the depth chart, and you know the front office will want to see what Jenkins can do.

Quinn49

How can you not root for him? He sounds like he has a great head on his shoulders. Additionally, there’s a lot of value with a guy who has this much to prove. If he gets a chance I see huge strides for this kid.

Crema Del Rey

Im rooting for this kid too, I really am. However, in my opinion…he is did cost the 49ers a Superbowl. God knows we woulda beet the living crap out of the Patriots in the SB.